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Spiral (TV series)

From Alfawiki
Spiral
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryTelevision
FoundedDecember 2005; 20 years ago (2005-12)
FounderAlexandra Clert
Headquarters
Paris
,
France
ProductsTelevision drama series

Spiral (, ) is a French television series blending elements of police procedural and legal drama, centered on the intertwined professional and personal experiences of Paris law enforcement officers, attorneys, and magistrates operating within the Palais de Justice, Paris. Conceived by Alexandra Clert for Son et Lumière, its initial season, consisting of eight episodes, was first broadcast on Canal+ in December 2005.

In the United Kingdom, the show premiered on BBC Four during the summer of 2006, marking the channel's inaugural French-language drama. It garnered critical praise and built a dedicated viewership of approximately 200,000. Subsequent seasons followed: the second season (eight episodes) aired in France starting May 2008 and reached UK audiences from September 2009; the third season (12 episodes) debuted in April 2011; the fourth aired in February 2013; the fifth appeared in late 2014 with a UK release from January 2015; the sixth was broadcast in 2017; and the seventh premiered in February 2019. Seasons four through seven each featured 12 episodes. The eighth and concluding season, comprising ten episodes, was shown on BBC Four in January 2021.

Spiral has achieved notable international distribution success, sold to over seventy countries including Australia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In Australia, it was televised on SBS One and SBS Two between 2008 and 2012. The series entered the North American market via Netflix in September 2012 but was subsequently removed; as of 2025, it is accessible through MHz+.

Throughout its broadcast history, the series has received widespread critical acclaim along with numerous nominations and awards.

Title

The French title translates literally to "gears" or "mechanisms," while also evoking themes such as "a spiral of violence" () and idiomatic expressions describing being trapped within escalating cycles—concepts that resonate with the show's narrative focus.

Series 1 (2005–2006)

The plot begins with the discovery of a young Romanian woman’s disfigured corpse in a Parisian landfill, which reveals a web of corruption implicating some investigators involved in her case. In the UK, this first series aired on BBC Four in 2006 and was rebroadcast in 2009 ahead of the second season.

Series 2 (2008)

The storyline opens with a man found charred inside a car trunk on a residential estate, sparking an intricate investigation.

Series 3 (2010)

Following the discovery of a mutilated young woman near La Villette, Captain Laure Berthaud strives to restore her professional standing after previous controversies. She suspects a serial killer known as the "Butcher of la Villette" and races against time as another woman goes missing nearby. The inquiry suffers setbacks due to internal mistakes and media scrutiny while the elite Criminal Brigade under Commissioner Vincent Brémont—Berthaud's former superior—attempts to take over the case.

Meanwhile at the Palais de Justice, Judge Roban uncovers possible bribery involving Villedieu’s mayor. Prosecutor Machard instructs Pierre Clément to surveil Roban to prevent a political scandal connected to an ally of the French President. Clément’s refusal leads Machard to seek his removal. At the same time, Joséphine Karlsson and Szabo continue their covert operations.

Series 4 (2012)

Following a homemade bomb explosion that leaves a student fatally injured, Police Captain Laure Berthaud and her lieutenants, Gilou and Tintin, launch an investigation. Meanwhile, attorney Joséphine Karlsson advocates for undocumented immigrants, while her colleague Pierre Clément unexpectedly takes on the defense of crime lord Johnny Jorkal. Judge Roban makes a comeback to the Palais de Justice, sidelined yet resolute.

The storyline uncovers extremist groups targeting the Parisian Gendarmerie alongside a perilous arms trafficking scheme, escalating tensions between law enforcement and legal professionals. During a raid, Tintin sustains a grazing gunshot wound, briefly lapsing into a coma and subsequently developing PTSD. Judge Roban releases a man accused of rape after suspecting the charges were falsified; tragically, one accuser commits suicide following this decision.

Comprising 12 episodes, Series 4 was filmed between August and December 2011 and from January to April 2012. It premiered on Canal+ in France from 3 September to 8 October 2012. The BBC Four aired the series under the title "State of Terror" in early 2013, broadcasting two hour-long episodes each Saturday evening.

Series 5 (2014)

Production for Season 5 commenced on 2 December 2013, spanning approximately eight months and resulting in twelve episodes of 52 minutes each. The series launched on Canal+ in France on 10 November 2014, with two episodes shown per night; subscribers to the on-demand platform were granted access to the full season immediately.

In the United Kingdom, Series 5 debuted on BBC Four on 10 January 2015, concluding with the final pair of episodes on 14 February 2015.

Series 6 (2017)

Filming for Series 6 took place from May through December 2016. The series began airing on Canal+ in France starting 18 September 2017 and was later broadcast on BBC Four in the UK between 30 December 2017 and 3 February 2018.

Series 7 (2019)

The production of twelve episodes started in January 2018 under the direction of Frédéric Jardin (episodes 1–6) and Jean-Philippe Amar (episodes 7–12). The narrative revolves around a double murder at a Chinese restaurant, exposing networks involved in money laundering and governmental corruption. The series premiered on Canal+ in France on 4 February 2019 and aired on BBC Four in the UK beginning 12 October 2019.

Series 8 (2021)

Featuring ten episodes, Series 8 spotlights retired examining magistrate Roban (Philippe Duclos), with Lucie Bourdieu (Clara Bonnet) stepping into a less experienced leading role amidst strained relations with police forces. Ali (Tewfik Jallab) becomes a regular cast member. Set within the new Parisian courts located in the Batignolles district, this series started broadcasting on BBC Four in the UK on 2 January 2021.

Cast

  • Caroline Proust: Police Captain Laure Berthaud (Commandant – series 7). A proficient officer within the Paris criminal police, leading an investigative unit from the territorial division (2nd DPJ). Recognized for her vigor, determination, and occasionally borderline tactics. She is deeply committed to her team and work but faces challenges in her personal life.
  • Grégory Fitoussi: Assistant Prosecutor Pierre Clément. A young prosecutor with a promising future who is dedicated to justice yet encounters opposition from his superior, Republic Prosecutor Machard.
    Judge François Roban. A seasoned investigating magistrate (juge d'instruction) known for his autonomy and rigorous style, often criticized for being cold and severe.
  • Thierry Godard: Police Lieutenant Gilles "Gilou" Escoffier. A long-standing member of Berthaud's team who employs borderline methods. He has struggled with work-related pressures including substance abuse.
    Police Lieutenant Frédéric "Tintin" Fromentin (Captain – series 6). Dependable and responsible, frequently torn between adherence to law and loyalty toward colleagues.
  • Audrey Fleurot: as Joséphine Karlsson. An astute and cynical lawyer motivated by ambition, pursuing fame and wealth by any means necessary.
  • Elisabeth Macocco: Marianne, court clerk for Judge Roban (seasons 3–5)
  • Dominique Daguier: Republic Prosecutor Machard (seasons 2–5)
  • Alban Casterman: Judge Wagner (seasons 2–4)
  • Stéphan Wojtowicz: Police Commissioner Aubert, head of Berthaud's unit (seasons 2–3)
  • Daniel Duval: Szabo, a contentious lawyer allied with Karlsson (seasons 2–3)
  • Bruno Debrandt: Police Commissioner Vincent Brémont, director of the Criminal Brigade (seasons 3–7)
  • Nicolas Briançon: Police Commissioner Herville leading Berthaud's division (seasons 4–5), later Seine-Saint-Denis Divisional Commissioner (season 6)
  • Louis-Do de Lencquesaing as Éric Edelman (seasons 5–8)

Series 1

Series 2

  • Mehdi Nebbou: Mustapha Larbi, involved in drug trafficking
  • Samir Guesmi: Farouk Larbi, drug trafficker
  • Reda Kateb: Aziz, gangster and rapper
  • Swann Arlaud: Steph, trainee police officer under Captain Berthaud’s team
  • Samir Boitard: Police Lieutenant Samy Aroune, specialist in undercover operations (returns in series 4)
  • Michel Bompoil: Robert Bréan, chief private secretary to the Justice Minister

Series 3

Series 4

Series 5

Series 6

Series 7

Series 8

Reception and accolades

The series Spiral has received widespread critical praise and secured numerous honors, including four nominations at the Globes de Cristal Awards with one victory. It was also a contender for Best Drama at the BAFTA Awards and achieved the 2015 International Emmy Award for Best Series.

Year Award Category Nominee Outcome
2007 Globes de Cristal Award Best TV Movie / TV Series Alexandra Clert & Guy-Patrick Sainderichin Template:Nom
2015 International Emmy Awards Best Drama Series Engrenages (Spiral) Template:Won

International broadcast

Nation Broadcasting Channel(s)
Template:AUS SBS
Template:BUL bTV, VOYO
Template:CAN Kodi
Template:DEN DR
Template:FRA Canal+
Template:BEL RTBF
  1. REDIRECT Template:DEU || One
Template:IRI GEM TV
Template:IRL Netflix
Template:ITA Fox Crime
Template:JPN AXN Mystery
Template:MEX Once TV
Template:NOR NRK
Template:CHE SF1 and TSR1
Template:UK BBC Four
Template:USA Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and MHz Worldview
Template:CRO HRT2
Template:SRB RTV
Template:SVN Planet TV
Template:POR RTP 2 and AMC
Template:ESP AMC

External links

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